Marco Polo Supper ClubA true “night on the town” includes getting dressed up a bit, selecting a great atmosphere, eating delicious food, drinking good wine and listening to great music. Throw in some dancing, and you’ve really got a memorable evening.
Memorable evenings are what Marco Polo Supper Club is all about. From the elevator ride up to the reception area to the great music playing (Marin, Sinatra, and later in the evening, live jazz), you’ll remember each visit with fondness. The cherry wood walls and banquettes, along with the recessed lighting, make for a clubby, intimate feel. The service is so good – friendly but not too so – that you’ll instantly feel comfortable.
Chef Scott Tompkins has put together a stellar menu and is in the process of tweaking it a bit more. In keeping with the theme of Marco Polo, many of the appetizers have an Asian flavor – such as potstickers, crab Rangoon and egg rolls. However, there also are fresh seafood offerings and great homemade toasted ravioli (anyone from St. Louis knows about these little gems).
Salads range from a very good house salad (another nod to St. Louis – romaine and iceberg with shaved red onion and parmesan cheese) to an outstanding strawberry and gorgonzola salad finished with a balsamic vinaigrette.
Main courses include a wide variety of Northern Italian dishes such as great pastas, but there also is an international flair with New Zealand lamb chops, Peking duck and Lobster Spedini. Steaks are top-notch – prime aged beef. The New York strip was cooked to perfection and then covered with a gorgonzola/merlot/ginger reduction. Served with penne in a portabella mushroom cream sauce, it was an exquisite combination of flavors.
Fresh fish is very well prepared at Marco Polo. Chef makes sure the seafood is the freshest – securing it directly from the source when possible (Alaskan Halibut was on the menu the night we were there). We enjoyed the sea bass with yaka soba noodles. The fish, coated in an anise/fennel/herb blend, was cooked to perfection and then drizzled with a teriyaki beurre blanc. It is then placed atop a bed of gingery yaka soba noodles and vegetables.
Wrap up this luxurious meal with a great dessert and coffee or after-dinner drink. The cheesecake is made with mascarpone cheese for a lighter texture. The filling is surrounded by an Oreo crust and a great raspberry sauce. The Bananas Foster with vanilla bean ice cream is a taste sensation with the warm bananas and cold ice cream. The chocolate mousse cake is decadent without being too rich.
good to know: live music from 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Huge wine list and great by-the-glass selection.
what to wear: How often do you get a chance to dress up a bit in Phoenix? The restaurant calls for resort casual. Getting a bit more dressy would not make you out of place.
must haves: strawberry/gorgonzola salad, steak and fish.Marco Polo Supper Club
2621 East Camelback Rd., Phoenix (602) 468-0100